Universal remote control system

ABSTRACT

A remote control adapted for use with a releasable readable media storage device. A readable media storage device having data and target indicators. Electrical contacts provide releasable connection with the remote control.

[0001] This application is a Continued U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/923,373 filed on Sep. 3, 1997, entitled UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROLSYSTEM, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a universal remote controlsystem which includes the use of a releasable readable media storagedevice, such as a Smart Card (herein referred to as “Smart Card” or“Card”), in transferring information and data to/from the remotecontrol. A typical releasable readable media storage device ischaracterized as a device with a non-volatile memory and, in many cases,a microprocessor, which can be releasably mated with a reading device.For example, a Smart Card includes one or more chips (integratedcircuits) that are imbedded in the Card for receiving and storinginformation and data. This information and data can then be “read” fromor “written” to the Smart Card.

[0003] Smart Cards are in wide spread use and can be broadly classifiedas either contact, contactless or hybrid Cards. The contact type of Cardutilizes appropriate technology to establish a physical electricalcontact with an associated device which can read the information on theSmart Card. In the contactless type, the Card is passed over theappropriate technology to be powered by suitable inductive coils and theCard then sends a signal through capacitive plates. A hybrid type ofCard is a combination of the two foregoing types. While any of theforegoing types of Cards could be used in the present invention, thepreferred embodiment utilizes a contact type Card which connects to anassociated remote control, as will be described. Other types of readablemedia storage devices which can be used in the present invention includevirtually any type of releasable media storage device, and the inventionis not limited to the use of a Smart Card.

[0004] The present invention relates to a user-configurable universalremote control having its device codes, that is the sets of code dataneeded to operate various electronic devices, supplied from a releasablereadable media storage device. In the preferred embodiment, thisreadable media storage device is a Smart Card. The universal remotecontrol unit is provided or sold to a particular user essentially“empty” of the code data needed to configure the remote control to thatuser's television, video cassette recorder (“VCR”), cable box, Internetaccess device or other electronic device. The universal remote controlis built with a reader slot or port into which the user can insertseparately purchased “device library” Cards which contain the sets ofcode data necessary to configure the remote control to operate all orsome of those electronic devices the user wishes to control. Additionalsets of code data can be added to the remote control any time the userobtains a new electronic device, up to the maximum capacity of theremote control, through the use of additional Smart Cards.

[0005] The releasable readable media storage device, i.e., Smart Card,to be utilized in the present invention contains a compilation of thedevice codes suitable for use with a particular universal remotecontrol, and allows a one time transfer of a single device code (i.e.,the set of code data needed to remotely operate a particular electronicdevice) from the readable media storage device into the remote control'son board, non-volatile memory. In the preferred embodiment, a Smart Cardconstructed of low cost material is utilized and is good for only oneuse. In one alternative embodiment, each Smart Card is designed for morethan one use. In another alternative embodiment, the universal remotecontrol system of the present invention is designed so thatinformation/data from the remote control can be downloaded into andremain stored in a releasable readable media storage device, e.g., acertain device code may be transferred from the remote control to aSmart Card. In a more complicated embodiment involving two-waycommunication between the remote control and an electronic device, theuniversal remote control of the subject invention contains an infraredreceiver for the purpose of receiving information from a television,computer or other electronic device and a means for transferring suchinformation into the memory of a readable media storage devicereleasably mateable with that remote control. In such an embodiment,information/data can be transferred from a user's electronic device tothe remote control to the readable media storage device, e.g. a videocoupon appearing on a television could be transferred from thetelevision to the remote control and then to a Smart Card for later usein a store or other shopping facility where the coupon could beredeemed.

[0006] In the preferred embodiment, to set up the universal remotecontrol to operate a particular electronic device, a Smart Card must beinserted into a reader slot or port in the remote control. The locationof this reader slot can vary depending on the design requirements of aparticular universal remote control. Once the Card is inserted into thereader slot or port, the user is able to experiment with various devicecodes until he finds the one which will operate his electronic device.Once the user locks in a particular device code, that device code (i.e.,set of code data) is transferred into the remote control's non-volatilememory and the balance of the code data on the Card is either erased orblocked from further use.

[0007] Another application of the present invention is in the cabletelevision industry. Operators which provide cable or satellitetelevision service to a number of subscriber's receiver sets are facedwith the necessity of maintaining control of the service provided toeach of the individual sets. Conversely, subscribers to such cable andsatellite services each have individual needs and requirements as to thechannels, features and functions available on and to their televisionsets. For example, a cable or satellite service provider offers varioustypes of services to its television subscribers and each subscribernormally has a choice of selecting what channels and/or what programs heor she desires to receive. Accordingly, a service provider must be ableto provide the desired service to each subscriber, and the provider mustbe able to keep track and control over the type of service provided toeach subscriber. A subscriber may also want to periodically change orvary the services or functions available on his or her set, or to addequipment to his or her entertainment system.

[0008] At present there are various ways for the service providers totrack and maintain control of such service, and various ways for thesubscriber to change the service he or she receives or the functionsavailable to him or her. However, the known methods and apparatus formaintaining such control and/or making such changes are relativelyexpensive and cumbersome. The functions, services and equipmentcurrently known are not readily flexible to meet the individualsubscriber's needs. The present invention addresses these disadvantagesof these known methods and apparatus.

[0009] In the system, method and apparatus of the present invention, theuser's remote control unit has slots or ports for accommodating one ormore releasable readable media storage devices. The releasable readablemedia storage device of the present invention is utilized in a uniquemanner with the remote control to provide code data to the remotecontrol and to provide control commands and programming data to theassociated electronic devices, as will be described. In addition, theuniversal remote control system of the present invention can be utilizedfor two-way communication and used for home shopping, electronicbanking, and pay-per-view movie purchase.

BACKGROUND ART

[0010] A patent of interest relative to the present invention is U.S.Pat. No. 5,214,622 which discloses a television monitor including aremote control. The remote control is provided with a slot into whichmemory cards are inserted. The remote control of U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,622is adapted to use a memory card to provide information which can betransferred between the remote control and the display means. U.S. Pat.No. 5,214,622 is basically directed to providing a calendar timersuperimposed on the television display serving as a reference fordisplaying the information. The remote control also contains atransparent pressure sensitive pad covering a liquid crystal display forinputting hand written information, as well as the standardalpha-numerical and symbol keys for inputting remote control commandssuch as channel selection, volume control, etc.

[0011] Another patent of interest with respect to the present inventionis U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,493 which discloses a Smart Card utilized with atelevision system. The Smart Card disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,493has a photoelectric optical pick-up device embedded in the Card forreceiving and storing a signal from the television set. The stored datacan be subsequently displayed and read. The Card of U.S. Pat. No.5,594,493 is used to record data relating to product identification foruse in product promotion and sales. The Cards allow advertisers to makespecial offers of products to the Card holders for use within specificand varied time periods. The patent states that the Card affords anearly fail safe data transmission via standard computer and televisiontransmission methods.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to a user-configurable universalremote control having its device codes, that is the sets of code dataneeded to operate various electronic devices including Internet accessdevices, supplied from a releasable readable media storage device. (Thesystem of the present invention can also be utilized with a dedicatedremote control wherein the code data needed to operate a particularelectronic device is supplied to the dedicated remote control from areleasable readable media storage device.) In the preferred embodiment,this readable media storage device is a Smart Card. The universal remotecontrol is provided or sold to a particular user essentially “empty” ofthe code data needed to configure the remote control to that user'stelevision, VCR, cable box, Internet access device or other electronicdevice. The universal remote control is built with a reader slot intowhich the user can insert separately purchased “device library” Cardswhich contain the sets of code data necessary to configure the remotecontrol to operate all or some of those electronic devices the userwishes to control. Additional sets of code data can be added to theremote control at any time the user obtains a new electronic device, upto the maximum capacity of the remote control, through the use ofadditional Smart Cards.

[0013] The releasable readable media storage device, i.e., Smart Card,to be utilized in the present invention contains a compilation of thedevice codes suitable for use with a particular universal remotecontrol, and allows a one time transfer of a single device code (i.e.,the set of code data needed to remotely operate a particular electronicdevice) from the readable media storage device into the remote control'son board, non-volatile memory. In the preferred embodiment, a Smart Cardconstructed of low cost materials is utilized and is good for only oneuse. In one alternative embodiment, each Smart Card is designed for morethan one use. In another alternative embodiment, the universal remotecontrol system of the present invention is designed so that informationfrom the remote control can be downloaded into and remain stored in areleasable readable media storage device, e.g., a certain device codemay be transferred from the remote control to the releasable readablemedia storage device. In a more complicated embodiment involving two-waycommunication between the remote control and an electronic device, theuniversal remote control of the subject invention contains an infraredreceiver for the purpose of receiving information from a television,computer or other electronic device and a means for transferring andstoring such information in the memory of a readable media storagedevice releasably mateable with that remote control. In such anembodiment, information can therefore be transferred from a user'selectronic device to the remote control to the readable media storagedevice and stored in that device's memory for later use, e.g. a videocoupon appearing on a television could be transferred from thetelevision to the remote control and then to a Smart Card for later usein a store or other shopping facility where the coupon could beredeemed.

[0014] To set up the universal remote control to operate a particularelectronic device, a releasable readable media storage device, namely aSmart Card, must be inserted into a reader slot in the remote control.The location of this reader slot can vary depending on the designrequirements of a particular universal remote control. Once the Card isinserted into the reader slot, the user is able to experiment withvarious device codes until he finds the one which will operate hiselectronic device. Once the user locks in a particular device code, thatcode is transferred into the remote control's non-volatile memory andthe balance of the code data on the Card is either erased or blockedfrom further use using known techniques.

[0015] The foregoing system can be used with any electronic deviceand/or any Internet access device utilizing a remote control. Thereleasable readable media storage device will include code data forprogramming the remote control and can also include additional data forcontrolling the functions and features of the various electronic deviceswhich are controllable by said remote control.

[0016] The foregoing features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more particular description of theinvention. The accompanying drawings, listed herein below, are useful inexplaining the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a front view of a remote control including an internallymounted connector for receiving a releasable readable media storagedevice which is inserted in a slot opening to the side of the remotecontrol;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of the remote control of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a side view of a modification of the remote control ofFIG. 1, wherein the connector is formed to be externally mounted on theremote control; the Smart Card is inserted in a slot opening to the topof the remote control;

[0020]FIG. 4 shows a drawing of a Smart Card used in the presentinvention;

[0021]FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of the Smart Card interface as in aremote control;

[0022]FIG. 5B is the schematic diagram of FIG. 5A with the addition ofan infrared receiver;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an operation of the Smart Card of theinvention;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the logic implemented to permit theSmart Card and EEPROM interfaces to share common electrical connections;

[0025]FIG. 8 shows a series of steps of illustrating the concept ofinputting data into an empty remote control; and

[0026]FIG. 9 shows a series of steps illustrating the concept ofinputting data to enhance the functionality of the remote control.

[0027]FIG. 10 shows a series of steps illustrating an electronictransaction utilizing the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The present invention discloses new and unique uses for a systemincluding a universal remote control and a releasable readable mediastorage device. The releasable readable media storage device and remotecontrol of the present invention can also provide control for additionalequipment including Internet accessible devices. The present inventionalso enables the releasable readable media storage device to interactwith the remote control to vary, change and control the functions of atelevision receiver, cable box or satellite decoder receiving signalsfrom a service operator. Importantly each user can, by using theappropriate releasable readable media storage device, readily andconveniently configure his remote control to the desired functions,features and channels he obtains from the service operator.

[0029]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a remote control 11, generally patterned afterso called universal remote controls of suitable known type. In additionto the standard components and circuitry, remote control 11 includes aconnector 12 for a releasable readable media storage device, a SmartCard 15 in the preferred embodiment, which selectively reads and writesto the remote control 11. Connector 12 comprises a slot or port 14 and asuitable known type socket for connecting to the Smart Card 15. Slot 14is molded directly into the case or body 16 of the remote control 11.Case 16 is preferably made of plastic material. In the embodiment shown,the slot 14 opens to the side of case 16. Slot or port 14 receives aSmart Card 15 shown in FIG. 4. Smart Card 15 is approximately 3.3×2.1inches in size.

[0030] Connector 12 can comprise a plurality of slots to accommodate orreceive one or more Smart Cards 15 which are inserted in respectiveslots in the connector 12. However, in the preferred embodiment and alsofor purposes of clarity in the drawing, only one slot 14 is indicated.Additional slots as needed may be formed in connector 12 parallel toslot 14 or elsewhere in the remote control 11.

[0031] The electrical and mechanical interface of Smart Card 15 with theremote control 11 conforms to, and complies with, the internationalstandard ISO 7816 for integrated circuit cards which have an interfacewith electrical contacts. Each slot 14 formed in connector 12 would havea similar interface.

[0032] It should be clearly understood that, while the electrical andmechanical interface used in Smart Card 15 is in accordance with ISO7816 standards, in the preferred embodiment shown the software protocolsand data being transferred are unique to the present invention. However,in other applications, the protocol(s) and/or data transferred maycorrespond to a pre-existing standard format suited to that application,e.g. home banking as explained below.

[0033]FIG. 3 shows a modification 11A of the remote control 11 of FIGS.1 and 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the connector 12A is formedessentially as a box externally of the case 16A and appropriatelyaffixed to the case 16A. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the slot 12A opensupwardly, as indicated by the dotted lines in the Figure, and the SmartCard 15 is inserted into the slot 14A from the top of the remote control11. The operation of the remote control 11 and the Smart Card 15 asdepicted in FIG. 3 are the same as for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0034]FIG. 5A shows the electronic circuitry 20 for the remote control11 and the Smart Card 15. The circuitry of FIG. 5A, and the operation ofthe circuitry are well known, hence detailed description is not believednecessary. Microprocessor 26 may be of any suitable known type. Thekeypad 28 (which includes the various known television TV and VCRfunction keys depicted in FIG. 1) enables user inputs to microprocessor26. Referring to the lower left hand corner of FIG. 5A, the connector 12receives the Smart Card 15 and connects via leads 23 and 24 to theremote control 15 microprocessor 26. The connector 12 also suppliespower from the remote control batteries 33 to the chip on the Smart Cardvia connections 34 and 35. Additionally, a contact is provided withinconnector 12, attached to lead 36, which is used to notify themicroprocessor 26 that a Smart Card 15 has been inserted, as isdescribed in greater detail later in conjunction with the flowchart ofFIG. 6. The data in Smart Card 15 selectively control or alter thefunctionality of the microprocessor 26 in accordance with the dataprogrammed and stored in Smart Card 15. Microprocessor 26 can also writeto Card 15.

[0035] As will be explained herein below, the Smart Card technology ofthe present invention can be used to enable the remote control to altervarious configurable features and/or information in a remote control oron the controlled devices, such as a television set; and, the Smart Cardcan be used to add code data for different electronic devices to becontrolled by a universal remote control. FIG. 5B shows the electroniccircuitry of a remote control (as explained above with reference to FIG.5A) which includes an infrared receiving means 37.

[0036] The flowchart of FIG. 6 describes the operation of the Smart Card15 and remote control 11 circuitry of FIGS. 5A and 5B. Initially, themicroprocessor 26 is in a “sleep,” or shut down mode in order tominimize power consumption and conserve battery life. Insertion of theSmart Card 15 into slot 14 closes a contact which, via transistor 29 andcapacitor 30, generates a pulse on the IRQ—(Interrupt Request) input pin31 of the microprocessor 26. Receipt of this signal causes themicroprocessor 26 to exit the previously described low power shut downstate and begin normal execution. First, the microprocessor 26 inspectsthe status of the keypad matrix 28 in order to determine if it was“woken up” by the user pressing a key. (If a keypress was the cause ofthe IRQ signal, the microprocessor 26 would then proceed to execute theindicated remote control function in the normal way.) In the embodimentdescribed in FIG. 6, however, the microprocessor 26 will determine thatno key has been pressed, as described in block 1 of FIG. 6. Initially,the first byte of data on the Smart Card 15 is read and evaluated todetermine if the Card 15 is of the correct type. If not, themicroprocessor 26 returns to its idle state, as described in block 4 ofFIG. 6. Next, the microprocessor 26 validates the memory block headerstored on the Smart Card 15. This header contains information indicatingwhere in the remote control's non-volatile memory the following SmartCard data bytes are to be stored, and for what purpose. If an invalidheader is detected, the microprocessor 26 signals the user (by, forexample, flashing the visible LED 32), and returns to the idle state, asdescribed in block 7 of FIG. 6. Once a valid block header has beenfound, the balance of the data in that block on the Smart Card 15 iscopied from the Smart Card 15 to the RAM memory 27 of the microprocessor26, and then from there to the designated target address within theremote control's non-volatile memory, as described in blocks 8 and 9 ofFIG. 6. On completion of this transfer, the microprocessor logicreturns, as described in block 5 of FIG. 6, to check for another datablock contained on the Smart Card 15. If one is found (as evidenced by asecond valid memory block header immediately flowing the end of thefirst data block), the transfer cycle is repeated. This processcontinues until no further valid data blocks are found, at which pointthe microprocessor 26 now checks the Card type previously acquired todetermine if the Smart Card 15 currently inserted in connector 12 is the“single use” type. If so, the microprocessor 26 writes data to thememory contained on the Smart Card 15 in order to erase or otherwisedisable future use of the Card 15, as described in blocks 10 and 11 ofFIG. 6. The microprocessor 26 then signals the user and returns to theidle state as described in block 7 of FIG. 6. In certain applications ofthe present invention, it may be desirable to provide additionalsecurity to the information and data stored on said Smart Card. Inconnection with such embodiments of the present invention, varioussecurity and encryption systems, including but not limited to arequirement that the user first activate the Smart Card through the useof a unique personal identification number (“PIN”) keyed in by the user,have been proposed or implemented and are well known in the art.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the Smart Cardinterface signals 23 and 24 are shared with those of the remotecontrol's non-volatile memory EEPROM 27. Since the Smart Card 15 andEEPROM 27 have similar electrical interfaces, this allows commonfirmware code and microprocessor input/output pins to be used tocommunicate with both devices. Accordingly, a circuit and program logicmust be provided to select which device is active at which time. This isaccomplished by connecting an input/output port pin 38 on themicroprocessor 26 in such a manner that when it is in one state itdisables the onboard EEPROM 27 via its enable/disable pin 25 whilesimultaneously enabling output of the clock signal 24 to the Smart Cardconnector via transistor 39, while in the other state it enables theonboard EEPROM 27 while disabling the clock output to the Smart Cardconnection. The flowchart of FIG. 7 describes how this is accomplishedby the firmware during the process of reading data from the Smart Card15, e.g. while performing the functions shown in blocks 2, 5 and 8 ofFIG. 6. The same process would be performed by the firmware in order toselect the Smart Card 15 as a target to write data.

[0038] A basic concept of one embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a standardized remote control 11 with separately available codedata for operating different electronic devices. Various Smart Cards aremade available for VCRs, for televisions, for stereos, etc. Each SmartCard 15 in the library has code data and programming to controldifferent features, functions and equipment, such as on the television,the VCR and stereo in a user's home entertainment system.

[0039] In one embodiment, a user has a remote control 11 which iscapable of controlling six devices. Initially the user may acquire“device library cards,” to thereby provide code data to control three ofthe six possible devices supported by the remote control 11. If the usersubsequently acquires a digital video disc (“DVD”), he can obtain theappropriate Smart Card for controlling the DVD via the remote control11.

[0040] In the embodiment described in FIG. 8, the remote control 11 isessentially empty of code data. A Smart Card is provided to enable andcontrol the features and equipment of the individual user. In thisembodiment, the remote control 11 is essentially passive and isactivated by a selected Smart Card 15. As depicted in FIG. 8, the userobtains and inserts the desired Smart Card into slot 12 of the remotecontrol 11. The user selects the device code that matches his equipmentto load the code data and programming for the selected functions andequipment into the remote control 11. Once the user locks in aparticular device code that code alone is transferred into the remotecontrol 11, and the Card may be erased or disabled.

[0041] The user separately acquires Smart Cards 15 to configure theremote control 11 for exactly those items of service, equipment, orchannels he wishes to control. New items, features, functions andequipment are added at any time, up to the maximum capacity of theremote control 11.

[0042]FIG. 9 depicts a second embodiment in which the remote control 11is preloaded with code data for basic functions and/or equipment. Toenable the user to enhance his equipment, Smart Cards are made availablethat allow purchase of additional function groups of the user's choiceor option such as PIP, menu, surround sound adjustments, etc. Also, theremote control 11 may be pre-loaded with a universal library for thebasic devices (televisions, VCRs, cable boxes) together with Cards toenable operation of individual additional equipment (DVD, satellite,etc.) as the user adds this equipment to his entertainment system.

[0043] The Smart Cards 15 can be designed to allow a single or one timetransfer of code data from the Smart Card into the onboard, non-volatilememory of the remote control 11. Since a Smart Card can be configured toprovide essentially a single use it may be fabricated of low-costmaterials to be relatively inexpensive. A one-time use capability of theSmart Card 15 acts as a validity and security check to assure that onlyauthorized devices or functions are controlled or changed by a SmartCard 15. After use, the Smart Card 15 may be discarded. In amodification of the foregoing embodiment, the Smart Card 15 is erasedafter entry of its input to the remote control 11, and thereafter the“blank” Smart Card 15 may be recorded and reprogrammed for further use.

[0044] By use of the Smart Card technology of the present invention theuser can conveniently add to the devices operated by his remote control11 and the capability of his cable system. For instance, during thehockey season the user can sign on to receive the desired various sportschannels for a limited time period. For such use, the cable providermails an updated Smart Card 15 to the user and the user inserts theSmart Card 15 into the remote to enable his or her system to receive thedesired sport channels for that limited period.

[0045] As stated above, remote controls 11 are fabricated with featuresthat are enabled or disabled, and various built-in features may beenabled or disabled via Smart Card 15 loaded information. For thecable/satellite service provider, this means that they can selectivelyenable/disable various buttons or functions on the remote control 11,depending on what the individual customer has requested. Further thisallows a distinct pricing of individual features such as sleep timer,time delay macro playback, favorite channel scan etc.

[0046] The Smart Card 15 can be updated to reflect changes in channelline up. A cable or satellite service provider who offers direct channelaccess keys on its remote control could simply mail an inexpensive SmartCard 15 out to all users whenever the channel line up changes. Thus, theSmart Card 15 becomes the means for delivery of upgraded subscriptioninformation, and can be used to modify a customer's service and updatethe remote control 11 as well.

[0047] Since the remote control 11 can transfer data into a Smart Card15, Smart Cards are provided that limit access to a particular featureor television program, e.g. five pay-per view movies, monthly or specialsport coverage, etc. The Smart Card 15 can, in effect, provide a creditcard type of transaction. The remote control 11 is coded to send aparticular control signal to the receiver a pre-set number of times, andcan specify the data to send. The remote control 11 updates anddecrements the authorized number in the Smart Card 15 each time thefeature is used, and terminates when the count reaches zero.Alternatively, the remote control 11 can load the counter updatedinformation from the Smart Card 15 into its own internal storage andoperated therefrom. In this latter case, after transfer of theinformation, the Smart Card 15 is erased or disabled, and the card canbe discarded.

[0048] Another significant use for Smart Card system of the presentinvention is to limit access to programs of different viewer rating. Forexample, children in a household have a Smart Card 15 that permits themto view selected programs on the cable system, or to access limitedsites on the Internet. In contrast, the parents have Smart Cards with abroader choice of TV programs and/or an unrestricted access to theInternet.

[0049] The flowchart in FIG. 10 depicts another type of operation of theSmart Card 15, when used in a remote control 11 with electroniccircuitry such as in shown in FIG. 5B, which includes an infraredreceiver 37 in addition to the usual infrared transmitter. The additionof an infrared receiver 37 enables the microprocessor in the remotecontrol 11 to engage in bi-directional communication with other devicessuch as a cable box, DBS receiver, Internet access device or specializedterminal device (referred to hereafter as “base unit”). There are manydifferent methods and techniques for formatting and modulating data fortransmission via infrared or other medium, all of which are well knownand are hence not described here. It will also be appreciated thatalthough the preferred embodiment uses infrared to implement thisbi-directional communication, similar results could be obtained usingother transmission technologies such as radio frequency, ultrasonic,etc.

[0050] The Smart Card transaction is initiated by insertion of the Card15 in the same way as previously described in conjunction with theflowchart of FIG. 6. This is described in blocks 1 through 4 of FIG. 10.Once the microprocessor 26 has determined that the card type is“interactive” it enters a loop in which it successively checks for userkeyboard 28 input (block 5), checks the infrared receiver 37 for datafrom the base unit (blocks 6 and 7), verifies that the Smart Card 15 isstill inserted in the slot 14 (block 15), and repeats this sequenceuntil either the card 15 is removed (at which point it returns to theidle state) or a command message is received from the base unit. Theobjective of this process is to allow the user of the remote control 11to initiate a transaction with the base unit by keying in data on theremote control (for example a menu selection, a PIN, or some otherinformation). Once the base unit has determined that a valid transactionis to occur, it then transmits a command to the remote control 11 toaccess data on the Smart Card 15, such as a cash balance, a pay-per-viewmovie credit, etc. This series of events are shown in the subsequentportion of the flowchart. At block 9 of FIG. 10, the remote control 11examines the response command from the base unit. If it is “transactioncomplete,” the remote control 11 signals the user (block 8) and returnsto the idle state. If the response command is not “transactioncomplete,” the remote control 11 then determines if the response is acommand to read or to write Smart Card data (block 10), what location inthe Smart Card's memory is to be accessed, and acts accordingly (blocks11 and 12). If the command was a “write,” the remote control 11 thensignals completion to the base unit (block 14). After executing the reador write function, the remote control 11 returns to the original state(block 5) awaiting further action by the user or base unit. A typicaltransaction might consist of several of these sequences as, for example,the base unit first reads an account balance from the Smart Card 15,then interacts with the user to finalize a purchase, and finally debitsthe account balance and writes the updated value back to the Smart Cardmemory.

[0051] It will also be appreciated from the foregoing descriptions andthe flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 10, since the Smart Card type and functionis identified in the data stored on the Card, that a single Smart Cardcan serve more than one purpose. Furthermore, these are not necessarilylimited to only remote control applications. For example, a single SmartCard could contain data to both enable new subscription channels on acable box or DBS receiver via that base units own Smart Card reader, anddata to update the remote control functionality to enable access to thatchannel.

[0052] While the invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to a particular embodiment thereof it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for programming a remote control,comprising: a readable media having electrical contacts for allowing thereadable media to be releasably connected to the remote control, thereadable media having stored thereon code data where the remote controlis adapted to read the code data from the readable media and thereafteruse the code data in connection with commanding a first home applianceto perform an operation and wherein the readable media is limited tobeing read by the remote control a predetermined number of times.
 2. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the code data functions to addcodes to the remote control for use in connection with commanding asecond home appliance to perform an operation.
 3. The system as recitedin claim 1, wherein the code data functions to allow remote controlaccess to a limited-access program presented on the first homeappliance.
 4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the code datafunctions to allow timed access to the limited-access program presentedon the first home appliance.
 5. The system as recited in claim 3,wherein the code data functions to allow a predetermined number ofaccesses to the limited-access program presented on the first homeappliance.
 6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the code datafunctions to add a code to the remote control for use in commanding thefirst home appliance to perform a predetermined operation not otherwisecommandable via the remote control.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1,wherein the code data functions to enable access to a code stored withinthe remote control for use in commanding the first home appliance toperform a predetermined operation.
 8. The system as recited in claim 1,wherein the code data functions to associate command codes with buttonsof the remote control whereby activation of one of the buttons commandsthe first home appliance to access a specific program presented on thefirst home appliance.
 9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein thecode data comprises data representative of a channel line-up of abroadcast service provider.
 10. The system as recited in claim 9,wherein the code data comprises data representative of a change to achannel line-up of a broadcast service provider.
 11. A system forprogramming a remote control having a direct channel access button,comprising: a readable media storing code data and having electricalcontacts for allowing the readable media to be releasably connected tothe remote control wherein the code data is read from the readablemedia, via the electrical contacts, upon activation of the directchannel access button and used to command a home appliance to tune to aspecific channel in a channel line-up of a broadcast service provider.12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the code data comprisesdata representative of the channel line-up for the broadcast serviceprovider.
 13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the code datacomprises data representative of a change to the channel line-up for thebroadcast service provider.
 14. The system as recited in claim 11,wherein code data further comprises access data for allowing the remotecontrol to be used to access limited-access programming in the channelline-up of the broadcast service provider.
 15. The system as recited inclaim 14, wherein the access data comprises data representative of anaccess code.
 16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the datarepresentative of the access code is transmittable from the remotecontrol a predetermined number of times.
 17. The system as recited inclaim 14, wherein the access data is representative of a credit amount.18. A system for programming a remote control having a buttonactivatable to transmit a signal to a home appliance to signify arequest to view limited-access programming in a channel line-up of abroadcast service provider, comprising: a readable media storing codedata representative of a credit amount and having electrical contactsfor allowing the readable media to be releasably connected to the remotecontrol wherein the code data is read from the readable media, via theelectrical contacts, upon activation of the button and transmission ofthe signal to the home appliance is limited as a function of the creditamount.
 19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the remotecontrol functions to debit the credit amount stored on the readablemedia in connection with transmission of the signal to the homeappliance.